EXEMESTANE is a steroid molecule that has the ability to irreversibly bind to the aromatase receptor, inactivating this enzyme and resulting in a reduction in circulating estrogen. When ingested, it nullifies the effect of aromatase, which is an enzyme responsible for converting androgens into estrogens in peripheral tissues. Therefore, this class of drugs is called an aromatase inhibitor. There are other chems research and drugs, such as Letrozole and Anastrozole, which have a similar mechanism of action and comparable activity to EXEMESTANE.
What are the commercial names and forms of application of exemestane?
EXEMESTAN can be found as a generic drug with the same name (EXEMESTAN) or under the trade name AROMASIN® (original). The medication is sold in the form of exemestane 25 mg tablets and is taken by mouth (orally), preferably after meals.
What are the indications for exemestane?
EXEMESTANE is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer that expresses hormone receptors (estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor). The drug can be used alone in patients after menopause and in association with ovarian suppression (by means of drugs that block the production of hormones by the ovaries, ablative radiotherapy of the ovary, or even surgical removal of the ovaries) in premenopausal women.
Main indications are adjuvant treatment of cancerearly breast cancer and treatment of metastatic disease. In localized disease, it is able to reduce the risk of recurrence, locoregional or distant, and reduce the risk of developing cancer in the contralateral breast. In the scenario of advanced disease, EXEMESTANE leads to clinical improvement, metastasis control, and survival gain; it can be used alone or concomitantly with other drugs.
What are the main side effects of exemestane?
EXEMESTANE is a well-tolerated drug, but it has some side effects, related to the low level of hormones, which can influence the quality of life, such as arthralgias, hot flushes (hot flashes), loss of a small amount of hair, nausea and increased of appetite.
EXEMESTANE can also cause mood swings (depression or anxiety), sleeplessness, headache, and fatigue. Side effects that can be serious are loss of bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and, more rarely, gastric ulcer and cardiovascular alterations, such as hypertension and heart failure.
Conclusion
EXEMESTANE acts in peripheral tissues to reduce the amount of circulating female hormones and is highly effective in some breast tumors. Therefore, it prevents tumor growth, as well as the appearance of metastases, and reduces the risk of death from the disease. EXEMESTANE is indicated in almost all cases of breast cancer with positive hormone receptors (ER: estrogen receptor; RP: progesterone receptor). Despite being a relatively safe medication, there may be serious side effects, so its use should only be done after a medical prescription.
